Cheapest Insurance for a Nissan Maxima in Seattle

How long has it been since you compared lower-priced Nissan Maxima insurance in Seattle? Did you make the mistake of buying an overpriced car insurance policy? Believe me when I say many Seattle consumers feel financially strained by their car insurance policy.

A recent study showed that almost 70% of drivers in Washington have bought car insurance from the same company for more than four years, and just under half have never even compared rates from other companies. American insurance shoppers could save approximately 47% each year, but they don’t believe the benefits if they switch to a new company.

Vehicle owners have multiple insurers to pick from, and though it is a good thing to be able to choose, lots of choices makes it harder to compare rates and cut insurance costs.

Best companies for Nissan Maxima insurance

The companies shown below provide free rate quotes in Seattle, WA. If more than one company is shown, we suggest you click on several of them in order to get a fair rate comparison.

Data assumes single male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $100 deductibles, and Washington minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-policy, claim-free, safe-driver, multi-vehicle, and homeowner. Information does not factor in your specific Seattle location which can impact premiums considerably.

An analysis of deductible level

One common question asked by Seattle drivers is where should you set your physical damage deductibles. The comparisons below lay out the cost difference when you select higher and lower policy deductibles. The first set of rates uses a $250 deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage and the second set of rates uses a $1,000 deductible.

Data based on married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Washington minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include claim-free, homeowner, multi-policy, multi-vehicle, and safe-driver. Price estimates do not factor in vehicle garaging location which can influence prices considerably.

Based on the above data, using a $250 deductible costs about $26 more each month or $312 a year than opting for the higher $1,000 deductible. Since you would have to pay $750 more out-of-pocket with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you tend to go at least 29 months between claim filings, you would probably be better off if you choose a higher deductible.

Careless driving habits raise Seattle car insurance rates

The example below demonstrates how citations and fender-benders increase Nissan Maxima auto insurance costs for each age group. The rate quotes are based on a married female driver, full physical damage coverage, $100 deductibles, and no discounts are taken into consideration.

Nissan Maxima liability rates compared to full coverage

The information below visualizes the comparison of Nissan Maxima yearly insurance costs with and without physical damage coverage, medical payments, and uninsured/under-insured motorist coverage. The premiums are based on no accidents, no driving violations, $100 deductibles, married female driver, and no discounts are taken into consideration.

Should you buy full coverage or liability only?

There is no definitive formula for excluding physical damage coverage, but there is a guideline you can consider. If the yearly cost of comp and collision coverage is 10% or more of the settlement you would receive from your company, then it could be time to drop full coverage.

For example, let’s say your Nissan Maxima replacement cost is $7,000 and you have $1,000 policy deductibles. If your vehicle is damaged in an accident, the most your company would pay you is $6,000 after paying your policy deductible. If premium cost is more than $600 a year to have full coverage, then you may need to consider dropping full coverage.

There are some scenarios where dropping full coverage is not a good idea. If you still owe money on your vehicle, you must maintain physical damage coverage as part of the loan requirements. Also, if you can’t afford to buy a different vehicle in case of an accident, you should maintain full coverage.

Reduce your auto insurance rates with discounts

Not too many consumers would say auto insurance is affordable, but you might find some hidden discounts that you may not even know about. Most are applied at the time you complete a quote, but some may not be applied and must be inquired about before being credited.

• New Car Discount – Buying coverage on a new vehicle can cost up to 25% less due to better safety requirements for new model year vehicles.
• Include Life Insurance and Save – If the company offers life insurance, you could get a lower premium rate if you buy some life insurance in addition to your auto policy.
• Smart Student Discounts – A discount for being a good student can get you a discount of up to 25%. The good student discount can last up to age 25.
• Drivers Education – Have your child enroll in driver’s education in school.
• Military Rewards – Having a family member in the military could trigger a small discount.
• ABS and Traction Control Discounts – Cars and trucks with ABS braking systems or traction control prevent accidents and earn discounts up to 10%.
• Renewal Discounts – A few larger companies offer discounts for buying a policy early. It can save you around 10%.

Just know that most credits do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. Most only apply to specific coverage prices like liability and collision coverage. If you do the math and it seems like all those discounts means the company will pay you, it doesn’t quite work that way. But all discounts will help lower the premium cost.

Companies and some of the discounts are outlined below.

• State Farm policyholders can earn discounts including driver’s education, multiple policy, anti-theft, student away at school, accident-free, Drive Safe & Save, and safe vehicle.
• Nationwide may have discounts that include good student, multi-policy, easy pay, defensive driving, business or organization, anti-theft, and family plan.
• GEICO offers premium reductions for anti-lock brakes, driver training, defensive driver, air bags, and multi-vehicle.
• AAA may include discounts for multi-policy, multi-car, anti-theft, good student, and pay-in-full.
• 21st Century has discounts for driver training, early bird, air bags, theft prevention, and 55 and older.
• The Hartford may offer discounts for defensive driver, anti-theft, driver training, good student, and air bag.

When quoting, ask every company which discounts they offer. Depending on the company, some discounts may not be available in every state. To choose providers that can offer you the previously mentioned discounts in Seattle, click here.

Components of Your Nissan Maxima Insurance Prices

The best way to find cheaper auto insurance is to take a look at a few of the rating criteria that help determine the price you pay for auto insurance. When consumers understand what influences your rates, this empowers consumers to make smart changes that can help you get lower auto insurance prices. Many different elements are considered when you get your auto insurance bill. Some factors are common sense such as your driving history, but other factors are not quite as obvious like where you live or your commute time.

The list below includes some of the most common factors used by insurance companies to determine premiums.

• Never let your coverage expire – Letting your insurance expire can be a guaranteed way to trigger a rate increase. Not only will you pay higher rates, failure to provide proof of insurance could result in a fine, jail time, or a revoked license.
• Pay lower rates after the wedding – Having a wife or husband can get you a discount when buying auto insurance. Having a significant other demonstrates that you tend to be less irresponsible and it’s statistically proven that drivers who are married are more cautious.
• High physical damage deductibles cost less – Deductibles for physical damage define how much you are willing to pay if a covered claim is submitted. Insurance for physical damage, also known as collision and other-than-collision, insures against damage to your car. Examples of covered claims are rearending another vehicle, damage from fire, and damage caused by road hazards. The larger the amount you’re willing to pay, the less your auto insurance will be.
• Prices impacted by vehicle usage – The more miles you rack up on your Nissan in a year’s time the more you’ll pay to insure your vehicle. Many insurance companies calculate prices based upon how much you drive. Vehicles used primarily for pleasure use can be on a lower rate level than those that get driven frequently. Double check that your auto insurance policy is rated on the correct usage, because improper ratings can cost you money. A policy that improperly rates your Maxima is just wasting money.
• Poor credit can mean higher premiums – Having a bad credit score can be an important factor in calculating your auto insurance rates. Drivers who have good credit tend to be better risks to insure than those with lower credit scores. If your credit rating is low, you may save money insuring your Nissan Maxima if you clean up your credit.
• Prices are affected by your address – Living in small towns and rural areas may provide you with better prices when buying auto insurance. Drivers who live in large cities have traffic congestion and longer commute times. Less people living in that area means less chance of accidents.
• Save money by eliminating extra policy coverages – There are a ton of additional coverages that can add up if you aren’t diligent. Add-on coverages like rental car coverage, towing coverage, and additional equipment coverage are probably not needed. They may seem good initially, but now you might not need them so eliminate the coverages to reduce your premium.

Auto insurance quotes from neighborhood Seattle auto insurance agents

Some people still like to talk to an insurance agent and that can be a great decision One of the best bonuses of price shopping on the web is you can get cheaper rates and also buy local.

After completing this short form, your insurance coverage information is sent to local insurance agents who will return price quotes to get your business. It simplifies rate comparisons since you won’t have to visit any agencies since rate quotes are delivered directly to your email. You can most likely find cheaper rates and an insurance agent to talk to. If for some reason you want to get a comparison quote from a specific auto insurance provider, just search and find their rate quote page and give them your coverage information.

Choosing the best insurance company requires more thought than just a cheap price quote. The following questions are important to ask.

• How many years of experience in personal auto insurance do they have?
• Are they able to influence company decisions when a claim is filed?
• Do they specialize in personal lines coverage in Seattle?
• Do they get paid more for recommending certain coverages?
• Does the company allow you to choose your own collision repair facility?
• Does the agent have a valid license to sell insurance in Washington?
• Will the agent or a CSR service your policy?
• How are claims handled?

Types of car insurance agents in Seattle

When narrowing the list to find a reputable agency, it’s important to understand the different agency structures and how they function. Insurance agencies in Seattle can be classified as either exclusive or independent (non-exclusive).

Exclusive Insurance Agents

These agents work for only one company like AAA, State Farm, Farmers Insurance, and Allstate. Exclusive agents cannot provide prices from multiple companies so you need to shop around if the rates are high. Exclusive insurance agents receive a lot of sales training on their company’s products which can be an advantage.

Below are exclusive agencies in Seattle that can give you rate quotes.

More insurance agents

Independent Insurance Agents

Agents in the independent channel do not have single company limitations so they can quote policies with lots of companies and get you the best rates possible. If your premiums go up, an independent agent can move your coverage which is easy for the insured.

If you need cheaper auto insurance rates, you need to include multiple independent agents to have the best price comparison.

The following are independent agents in Seattle willing to provide price quotes.

More insurance agents

One last note

You just learned a lot of ways to save on Nissan Maxima insurance in Seattle. The key concept to understand is the more providers you compare, the better chance you’ll have of finding cheaper Seattle auto insurance quotes. Consumers may even find the lowest prices come from an unexpected company. Regional companies may have significantly lower rates on certain market segments than the large multi-state companies such as Progressive and GEICO.

Cheap Nissan Maxima insurance in Seattle is attainable both online and also from your neighborhood Seattle agents, and you need to comparison shop both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. Some insurance providers don’t offer internet price quotes and these smaller providers prefer to sell through independent insurance agencies.

As you prepare to switch companies, make sure you don’t reduce needed coverages to save money. Too many times, an accident victim reduced comprehensive coverage or liability limits only to discover later that it was a big error on their part. The proper strategy is to buy enough coverage at an affordable rate while still protecting your assets.

Much more information about auto insurance in Washington can be found below:

• Rollover Crash FAQ (iihs.org)
• How Much are Seattle Car Insurance Quotes for Drivers Over Age 50? (FAQ)
• Who Has the Cheapest Auto Insurance Rates for Postal Workers in Seattle? (FAQ)
• Who Has Affordable Auto Insurance Quotes for a Hyundai Santa Fe in Seattle? (FAQ)
• Who Has Cheap Seattle Auto Insurance Rates for Teenage Males? (FAQ)
• Auto Insurance for Teen Drivers (Insurance Information Institute)
• Self-driving cars won’t replace humans (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)